Art-Saturated GNARNIA Fest to Flood Beech Mountain

Published Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 1:00 pm

July 12, 2012. A juggernaut of a festival is coming to Beech Mountain Ski Resort August 9 to 11. The Festival of Gnarnia will see festival goers from across the country flood Eastern America’s Highest Town and enter through the wardrobe and into the parody land of GNARNIA. The all star musical lineup will perform against the backdrop of a stunning view that extends for a hundred miles making it one of the most unique and picturesque festivals of all the lands.

GNARNIA is becoming one of the most arts-saturated events on the East Coast. Boasting an A-list roster of electronic music, GNARNIA also diversifies its offerings across genres, to incorporate folk, jazz, New Orleans funk, urban, world-music, classical, bluegrass, and more. A highlight of the schedule will be a performance by Bill Kreutzmann, former drummer of the Grateful Dead, with his new all-star project 7 Walkers. They will be performing on the anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s death.

The festival is chock-full of other creative features adding to the environment as well, such as an immersive theatre, cirque performers, aerialists, bhangra dancers, stilt walkers, fire dancers, poets, fashion designers and more than a few surprises.

Besides the remarkable diversity defining GNARNIA, what sets it apart from other similar festivals is an emphasis around healthy lifestyle offerings. Quality foods will be available and healing arts opportunities will polka dot the environment, providing guided movement, yoga, meditation, and massage. A wide range of instructional workshops will be offered on permaculture, urban farming, performance techniques, and more.Select service organizations for pro-social causes will also have the opportunity to interact with festival guests.

Location

The Beech Mountain site is its own phenomenon. Beech Mountain Resort, offering its unique terrain for the event, is providing access to the ski-lift which will transport festival-goers to the mountaintop at specific times for workshops and special acts. Emerald Mountain is offering The Land of OZ, theme park located at the top of Beech Mountain. Guests may take the lift to this absolutely stunning landscape where 44,000 yellow bricks set the adventures through an Enchanted Forest at the peak of Beech Mountain, 5506’ above sea level.

Tickets

This is a limited capacity special event. Attendees are expected from across the Eastern seaboard. Purchase tickets soon to secure admission, the event is likely reach capacity. Tickets can be purchased at gnarniathefestival.com/tickets/tickets.

Lodging, Camping and Transportation

Local lodgings are filling up fast, please reserve your space on Beech Mountain soon by contacting the Beech Mountain TDA at 1-800-468-5506 during normal business hours.

A new camping area has just been added to the festival. The grounds are within walking distance to the venue. Camping passes are $25 per person for the weekend. Availability of these sites is limited. Reserve your camping spot today. More information is available at gnarniathefestival.com/festival-info/camping.

Limited bus service will be provided to Boone & Banner Elk areas. Shuttle service routes and times will be posted closer to the event date. More information at gnarniathefestival.com.